Joint Base Charleston could see some job cuts in 2015. According to
its public affairs office, the base could lose one of its four flying
squadrons. Those cuts would come if Congress approves the Air Force's
proposal laid out in President Obama's 2015 budget.

The proposal
includes converting eight C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes from primary
to back-up. JBC officials say the aircrafts would stay on base and
receive scheduled maintenance but less manpower would be needed.
Officials say staffing is based on the entire fleet of planes being
ready, however, roughly 12 C-17s of the 48 have been in the shop for
preventative maintenance at any one time.

In a statement...a commander with the 315th airlift wing said...

"We
will, in fact, become slightly smaller, but I'm confident that the
country's combat power is very capable of providing for our nation's
defense," said Col. James Fontanella, commander of the 315th Airlift
Wing.

JBC officials say these changes would be Air Force-wide as
the United States draws down from the longest conflict in its history.

"These
changes reflect the fact that for more than a decade, we've had roughly
12 C-17s in the shop for preventative maintenance at any one time, but
had manpower based on 100 percent of the aircraft being ready," Hartford
said. "This move to recategorize some of the fleet would align our
status with reality and, in so doing, adjust the manpower to support the
combat-capable fleet."

In addition to cuts in the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings, the 628th Air Base Wing also would reduce some positions.

"Our
primary job here at the 628th is to support our 53 mission partners,"
said Col. Jeffrey DeVore, 628th Air Base Wing commander and the Joint
Base's installation commander. "Our authorizations correlate directly
with their numbers, so a change for them often triggers an adjustment
for us."

According to Air Force officials, leaders from the active
duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and two state adjutants
general, contributed to the decision process that led up to these
proposed changes, with the intent of preserving capability and stability
across the Total Force.

Congress and the White House must agree on the budget for next year by September 30th.